‘A lot more on the way’: Crawford, Smith carry Compton Academy legacy forward

SEATTLE — When Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford and Braves designated hitter Dominic Smith got together at T-Mobile Park for this week’s matchup between Seattle and Atlanta, they did so with more than 20 years of nostalgia. And some great stories about where their big league dreams all began. Crawford and Smith have been among the most prominent success stories of the Compton Youth Academy, which is celebrating its 20th season in 2026. Now called the MLB Youth Academy, it was built on the campus of Compton College in the Los Angeles area, with a broader mission than just developing athletes.…